The project involves the construction
of a wet weather pump station to be located in the southeastern section
of the city on Observer Highway. The final design for the pump
station has been completed by the Authority’s engineer for the project,
CH2M Hill. The Authority has already received Treatment Works
Approval, Waterfront Development Permit, and HEP Soil Erosion and Sediment
Control permits. Authorization to proceed from the New Jersey Department
of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) is anticipated within a week of
the awarding of the bid. Construction will begin in February 2010.
The pump station is expected to be operational by November 2010. The
entire project, which includes a new river outfall and pre-treatment
facility, is scheduled to be competed in by the end of 2011.

Dr. Richard J. Wolff, the Authority Chairman,
said: “Street flooding during serious rain events has been a
problem in Hoboken for generations. We are finally beginning a
process that will go a long way to addressing the most serious incidents.
The construction of this wet weather pump station should alleviate most
flooding problems, particularly in the southwestern sections of the
city. This area is highly flood-prone because the ground elevations
are close to, or in some cases below, sea levels of the Hudson River.
Although we do not expect that this one pump station will entirely eliminate
all flooding incidents throughout the city, it will certainly improve
the situation substantially.”

The project’s cost will be borne by
the Authority. Five million dollars of the project will come from a
federal stimulus grant, secured through the intervention of Senators
Bob Menendez and Frank Lautenberg and Congressman Albio Sires.
The balance will be financed through the Authority’s participation
in the New Jersey State Revolving Loan Fund, which provides long-term,
low-interest infrastructure loans to qualified entities. The
project has received strong support from local elected officials as
well, including State Senator Brian Stack and Assemblypersons Ruben
Ramos, Jr., Caridad Rodriguez, Freeholders Anthony Romano, Jose Munoz,
Tilo Rivas and Mayor Dawn Zimmer.

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